On the 14th, at the driving test site of Hyundai Rotem's Changwon plant, two K2 tanks with license plates B-002 and B-015 simultaneously emitted a loud noise and smoke while making a 90-degree left turn from a stationary position. Once aligned, the tanks dashed out of the driving test site.
The K2 tank measures 10.8 meters in length, 3.6 meters in width, and 2.4 meters in height, with a weight of 56 tons. It is 4 to 10 tons lighter than competing tanks such as the German Leopard. Despite its massive size, it can reach a maximum speed of 70 km/h. During this driving test, the K2 tank traveled at a speed of 60 to 65 km/h.
After completing the driving test, the K2 tank also performed a 360-degree turn from a stationary position. Despite the body rotating, the turret, which is equipped with the gun barrel, did not shake. The gun barrel alone also moved up and down, a function aimed at accurately targeting enemies during driving.
These two K2 tanks, which are undergoing driving performance tests, will be shipped to Poland this year as part of the first export volume agreed upon in 2022. The turret of the tank showcased in the test drives was adorned with the Polish flag, symbolizing cooperation.
At Hyundai Rotem's Changwon plant, visited that day, production of K2 tanks to be exported to Poland was in full swing. Upon entering the plant entrance, a green steel structure came into view. Employees in work uniforms were assembling electronic equipment inside this structure, which is a fire control system designed to hit targets even from 5 km away. Once assembly is completed, it will be moved inside the factory to attach components such as the 120 mm main gun. After that, when active protection systems and automatic loading devices are also attached, the external appearance of the K2 tank turret will be completed.
Hyundai Rotem is due to send 96 K2 gap fillers (GF), which will be used until the introduction of the K2PL for Poland, this year. By June, 49 had been delivered, and production of the remaining 47 is underway. The factory also conducts aiming inspections. Using specific equipment, it performs procedures such as zeroing the gun barrel, testing the performance of composite smoke grenades, and checking the turret's operation and rotation, as well as various electronic equipment performance tests. These are among the key inspection procedures that determine the quality of the tank.
The factory is also expected to produce the second delivery contract volume for Poland. The K2GF volume under the second contract, signed in early July, is 116 units. Hyundai Rotem plans to deliver about 30 units next year and about 70 units in 2027. Starting next year, Hyundai Rotem is set to begin the fourth mass production of K2 tanks for the South Korean Army, and the company is adjusting its production line to ensure no delays in delivery schedules. Hyundai Rotem's Changwon plant is reported to have the capacity to produce over 100 K2 tanks annually.
The second contract includes the K2PL tank for Poland, unlike the first contract. This tank features a larger body compared to the K2GF, taking into account the physique of the Polish Army. It is also equipped with cooling systems and drone defense systems, resulting in thicker armor. Hyundai Rotem plans to produce and deliver 64 units of the K2PL, manufacturing 3 units domestically while exporting the rest in component form for assembly locally.
Choi Woo-seok, head of Hyundai Rotem's Poland business team, said, "Core technologies such as the fire control system and engine are planned to be produced domestically," adding, "The remaining localization items will be determined in consultation with the Polish Armaments Agency and others."
Hyundai Rotem is aiming to expand exports based on the K2PL. The company signed a comprehensive contract with Poland for the delivery of 1,000 K2 tanks in 2022. Lee Jeong-yeop, vice president, noted, "The K2PL is a tank that is well-equipped to respond to future weapon systems, including drones," adding, "We plan to sequentially finalize contracts for the remaining quantities."
Hyundai Rotem has earmarked the development of a combined system of manned and unmanned vehicles centered around the K2 tank as a future business. The vice president stated, "Hyundai Rotem is collaborating with group companies in the fields of hydrogen and artificial intelligence, and is developing a combined manned and unmanned tank." The company aims to become the fifth largest global ground weapon corporation by 2035.